Saying “the man makes the hat” as opposed to the typical association of “the hat makes the man” has me considering what truth this reversal can reveal. Many of us may link hats in fine art to René Magritte and his bowler hats, but I must say that is not where my head (no pun intended) tends to go here… Rather, I am considering: what does it mean for a man to make the hat he is wearing? In the case of the 7th painting in Bak’s Octet, I am placing that question within the context of severe and even active violence as represented by the many smoking barrels of guns, the flaming cigarette, and solemn palette.
My thoughts are that it is our actions that define and make us who we are, regardless of what we place on the outside, such as a hat. Actions really do speak louder than words in the end – for good or for evil. What do our actions mean and how do they make us?
Caroline Staller (Guest writer)
BAK a Day, December 11, 2023
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All lit up? Smoking gun? No smoking zone!!!
Emerging out of the earth, this smoking figure totally expands any prospect of reality and yet is the product of our world of unbridled destruction of others.
Smoking guns. Cigarettes aflame. All totally improbable and watch CNN with images of mass assaults and killing. Meanwhile the figure is wearing his hat as if about to take a walk on the park or attend a concert.
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![The Man Makes the Hat [Octet 7/8]](/images/wwwArtworkMax/8386_SJ1333_BK2637-(06e71e96-4b97-11ec-9f80-f5a245404716).jpg)
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